Michele's Musings

So--
You think you know Britney Spears? A local author says: think again.
Lorilee Craker lives in Grand Rapids, and has written a book with Lynne Spears. I sat down with her last week to talk about the book, and what the family is REALLY like. Lorilee says the tabloid media is OBSESSED with this family, and she has actually received more than a dozen phone calls from tabloids around the world, trying to get information about the book, and about the family. Crazy! Make sure you check out Wednesday's Back Story-- it's a good one!
See you at 10-
Michele

It's been a long time, so we have a lot to catch up on!
First-- Mitchell's 5K Run was just great-- huge turnout, perfect weather, and 73-thousand dollars raised for research for a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy!
Last week's Back Story was actor Rainn Wilson, who is HILARIOUS! My photographer that day, Matt Duwe, is a huge fan of his, so it was a fun interview. Check out Rainn's new movie "The Rocker"!
I don't know what to watch on TV, now that the Olympics are over! Did you see Rockford native Dathan Ritzenhein run the marathon last night? He finished in 9th place, right in front of Ryan Hall, and gave the United States a pair of top-10 finishers for the first time since 1976! Yeah, Dathan! He's going to be hanging out with family in Michigan for awhile, so maybe I can catch up with him before he goes back to Oregon.
The biggest reason I've fallen behind on my blog is that I'm in what my friend Marilyn calls 'a mourning period"-- I knew taking Brandon to Michigan State was going to be tough, but WOW this has been really hard. I'm not worried about him at all-- he loves it so much already! And I'm happy for him, and so proud-- I just miss him. So there. 'Nuff said, as Producer Pantaleo would tell me.
Shopping seems to help-- I may single-handedly be putting West Michigan's economy back on track!
On the opposite end of the spectrum, my 5 year old goes to Kindergarten next week!
More tears, more whining (yes, from me-- she's all ready to go!)
I'll be back on my game soon- I promise!!
See you at ten!!
-Michele

There are lots of reasons to run: for fitness, for sanity, for 45 minutes of peace and quiet, for fun. This weekend, there's another reason: run for Mitchell. He's 12 years old, and has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Mitchell's Run is a 5K event through downtown Rockford. Steve and Sandra Peterson started it after their then-3 year old son was diagnosed. This Saturday, the race is celebrating 10 years! In that time, they've raised 500-thousand dollars. All of that money has gone to Parent Project, a global organization that funds research to find a cure for Duchenne MD. Here's a link to the website to sign up: www.mitchellsrun.org.
What better reason could there be?
Hope to see you there-- and at 10!
p.s. It's Wednesday: did you have your ice cream today???

So last night on the air, we were talking about hot dogs. (I know-- nothing but the most hard-hitting stories on Fox-17). Kevin Craig said something about 'only mustard and onions' on his dog. And I said 'what about cucumbers'? 2 seconds later, Producer Pantaleo is in my ear, completely making fun of me: "cucumbers! cucumbers!". Okay-- I'm not a huge hot dog eater. Even at the Corner Bar in Rockford, I order a salad. But my college friends all live in Chicago, and for years we'd go to the baseball game, hit the bars, then grab a late night dog. So this morning I sent a bunch of emails to my peeps, trying to get confirmation that I have not completely lost my mind: that's the way we ate them. One friend sent this article, so I'll pass it along to you.

Chicago Hot Dogs
By Doug Criner
A Chicago-style hot dog is typically served with the following accoutrements: yellow mustard, green pickle relish, chopped onion, sport peppers (small, smooth, dark-green pickled peppers), kosher dill pickle, cucumber spear, a couple of thin tomato slices or wedges, a steamed poppy-seed bun, and celery salt. Everything is put on top of the hot dog—including the kosher dill and cucumber spear, which are laid parallel with and on top of the dog. Don't worry about remembering all these toppings--if you order a Chicago dog with everything, that's what you'll get.
Ketchup is never served on a real Chicago-style hot dog. Even if you like ketchup, don't apply it to your dog in public. Hot-dog stands have ketchup on the counter if you insist on using it, but it isn't considered proper to order a hot dog with ketchup.
So there you go.
Check out tomorrow night's Back Story, and you'll get a behind the scenes look at the newest member of the Fox-17 News Team!!
See you at 10-
Michele

Lots of action in Michigan!
If you saw last night's Back Story, you saw the interview I did with actress Piper Perabo. She's shooting a TV pilot for a new TV show called "The Prince of Motor City". And because of the recently passed film incentives, they're actually shooting it here in Michigan! (Check out the full interview in our video player on the homepage). Piper is actually a family friend, and I've known her for years-- she is so great!
This has been a star-studded couple of weeks for me: I also had the chance to interview Rainn Wilson-- you know him from "The Office". He's promoting his new movie "The Rocker" which comes out next month-- he is HILARIOUS! Look for that Back Story coming soon!
And for me personally-- I had a really fun opportunity Sunday night: I got to work as an extra on the set of the movie "Tug"! (check out the Back Story from last week for all the info on filming that movie).. I was in a party scene with about 25 other people. The lead male actor in the film, Sam Huntington is in a fight with his neighbor played by "Reno 911" actress Wendy McLendon-Covy. It was such a great experience!! Sooo much fun!
People-- let me know what you've been up to!!
See you at 10-
Michele

So this was a fun day: I had the chance to hang out on the set of the movie "Tug" being filmed right now in West Michigan! It's the first production by TicTock Studios in Holland. Today, we watched a scene with the two main characters, played by Haylie Duff and Sam Huntington. And I got to talk with Yeardley Smith-- she plays the main character's mom. (If you don't know the name, you'll definitely recognize the voice: she's Lisa Simpson from The Simpsons)!
Check out Wednesday's Back Story for more on our exclusive behind-the-scenes look at filming!
See you at 10-
Michele

I've implemented a new thing here in the Fox-17 News Department this summer:
Ice Cream Wednesdays! It's pretty self-explanatory, but each Wed. afternoon we stop what we're doing for an ice cream party. Sounds like no big deal, but I'm telling you- there's nothing better. And we go all out: cans of whipped cream, chocolate and caramel topping, nuts, mix-in candy bars-- you name it.
It puts a smile on everyone's face, and makes the newsroom a happier place!
Plus, I get to yell out, "Lieutenant Dan, ice cream!"
I know-- it's the little things.
See you at 10!
p.s Happy Birthday to my sister Dee (July 1964-October 1983)

If you're like me, you spent the spring months looking forward to a nice relaxing summer. What was I thinking?? There is no such thing, not for our family! I thought after graduation was over, things would slow down, but we're busier than ever! Right now, I'm in between 'camps': one girl is cheerleading, the other is golfing. Squeeze in 3 days of tennis each week, and we're all set. Theatre camp hasn't started yet, but at least the softball season is over!
Do you do this, too? Run around like crazy, trying to make sure your kids don't miss out on anything, then realize we're too tired to enjoy it? (well, I'M too tired-- they're still going strong!)
This weekend we're headed to Cedar Point-- nothing like zooming 90-miles an hour down a 310 foot hill to relax! (Millennium Force).
My goal for July: more time at the pool or the beach, or planting flowers, or just hanging out and enjoying the West Michigan summer!
See you at 10!
Michele

There's a lot going on in West Michigan this summer!
I spent this past weekend in Saugatuck, at the Waterfront Film Festival. This was the 10th year, and it was the best one yet! (My friend Dana said "you say that EVERY year!") But it's true! Great movies, fun people, and hanging out with the filmmakers-- just amazing.
If you're more into country music than movies, you're probably gearing up for this weekend's B93 Birthday Bash. It's the 15th year for this event, and there are 14 acts scheduled to perform, including Gretchen Wilson. Look for more about the history of the event, Wednesday night in my Back Story report!
The next weekend is the start of the Muskegon Summer Celebration-- REO, Kansas, and the Steve Miller Band! and I interviewed Montgomery Gentry a few years ago-- they are a riot.
Here in the FOX-17 newsroom, producer Pantaleo and our nightside assignment editor Garrett are planning out their weekend for the Rothbury Festival. (I love the Dave Matthews Band, but since I'm not much of a camper, I will probably miss it!) It will be interesting to see if it has as much success as these other festivals-- I'm guessing YES! West Michigan is the place to be this summer for fantastic shows, and this summer could be the BEST ONE EVER!
Let me know what you're up to--
See you at 10!
-Michele

A couple of quick updates for everyone:
First off, some great news about John Arnold, from Second Harvest Food Gleaners! John has an aggressive form of prostate cancer, and has been on an experimental drug the past few months. He found out that it's working-- and working really well! I'm so happy for John-- he is an amazing person, and has given so much to the community. Go John!
On a much lighter note: my coffee habit. Drinko de Mayo was my experiment to find out how much money I spend at Starbucks. Producer Pantaleo: $93.00 for the month. My total: $130 !
Isn't that ridiculous? It wasn't just coffee, though. By keeping track, I realized that I buy a lot of bottled water there, instead of grabbing a few extra bottles from home. (If I did a bottled water count... now THAT would be expensive-- I drink a TON of water)
I thought it would be about $50 a month-- what a shocker! I blame the high gas prices. (No connection, but don't we blame everything on high gas prices these days??)
Finally-- make sure you check out the movie schedule for Waterfront Film Festival! There are some great films, as always, starting with the opening night show under the stars. Here's the link to the website: www.waterfrontfilm.org.
As soon as the actors who are coming this year are confirmed... I'll let you know!
Gotta make a Starbucks run...
See you at 10!